Brewing

When selecting a machine for home brewing, look for one that drives the water through the coffee with the aid of a pump versus a steam-driven machine. A good pump machine will usually cost $200-$1000, but the investment is worth it if you are serious about enjoying tasty espresso. If you have a limited budget, we suggest you invest in a moka pot instead of a steam-driven espresso machine.

PERFECT FRENCH PRESS COFFEE

GRIND IT COARSE.
A too-fine grind leads to a bitter taste. It will also be difficult to push the plunger down in your pot.

MAKE FROTHED MILK.
Make delicious frothed milk for your coffee drinks right in your French press. Heat a cup of nonfat milk in a saucepan in your stove or microwave, just until it is too hot to touch. Next, pour the milk into your clean, empty French press, insert the plunger, and pump the plunger up and down for several minutes. The milk will expand and increase in volume by three or four times, creating beautiful frothed milk for cappuccinos and lattes.

TRY SOMETHING NEW!
Loose teas and cocoa drinks are also delicious infused in the French press. Experiment!

MOKA POT SECRETS
It’s an old Italian secret to mound the coffee grounds high in the filter basket of a moka pot before screwing the two pieces together. Don’t compact the coffee! When the top half of the pot is screwed on, the grounds will be compacted by the filter screen. You should finish with a dry, compacted puck of coffee grounds at the end of brewing. To ensure a tight seal, wipe the rim of the bottom of the pot to remove any grounds.

DRIP FILTER TIPS
Be sure to use a filter designed for your filter basket. Use unbleached brown paper filters, or even better, permanent gold-plated wire mesh filters work very well and are environmentally friendly.